Tool and manufacturing marks

Certain types of criminal activity, such as breaking and entering, may involve the use of tools to force an entry. Those tools, such as bolt croppers, will leave more or less characteristic marks at the crime scene, depending on how often they had been used previously, on the surface of the material which they have been used to cut or damage. If the tool is recovered from a suspected perpetrator, it may be compared with tool marks found on items at the scene of the crime. The evidential significance of the results of such comparisons needs to be evaluated by an expert.

Examine the case notes and analytical findings of the forensic scientist who originally examined the recovered tool/s and tool marks in question and re-evaluate the evidential significance of those findings.

If necessary re-examine the recovered tool/s and the damaged items from the scene (in the laboratory or in situ) and report on the evidential significance of those findings.